Welcome to 'Green Rabbits' the monthly newsletter from the Campaign for Greener Healthcare for an update on sustainable healthcare news, events, resources and our projects. The primary source of information about the Campaign, including an archive of these newsletters, is our website at www.greenerhealthcare.org.
WELCOME TO THE HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY NETWORK MEMBERS
We are delighted to welcome the members of the Health and Sustainability Network, which has joined forces with The Campaign for Greener Healthcare. The group contains many notable public health and related professionals and the expertise and energy of these members is a great addition to our existing group of partners and supporters.
For more details click here.
MEDICAL SCHOOLS TEACH ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH
Delegates at the Academy of Medical Educators conference last week took part in a workshop on "Teaching about Climate Change and the Determinants of Health in Medical Education". The session was organised by Dr Frances Mortimer (CGH), Dr Veena Rodrigues & Stefi Barna (UEA) and Dr Steve Gillam (University of Cambridge), who are coordinating pilot teaching on climate change and determinants of health in eight medical schools in 2009-10. For case studies, 'how-to' guide and recommended learning objectives for introducing teaching on these topics into your medical school, please see here .
NHS URGED TO WEAN ITSELF OFF CHILD LABOUR
The BMA’s Medical Fair and Ethical Trade group has launched an information campaign telling doctors about the dangerous working conditions and child labour evident in the production of NHS medical supplies.
The information campaign has been launched in response to a BMA survey of 383 doctors which found that whilst eight in ten doctors are supportive of the NHS purchasing goods that are ethically sourced - only one in ten doctors is aware of fair and ethically made medical supplies. For more details click here.
REDUCING NHS FOOD WASTE - WEBINAR
On 26th January a webinar took place on 2degrees about reducing NHS food waste through local procurement, local contracts and in-house catering. There were case studies from the Royal Brompton Hospital, the Cornwall Food Project and the Darlington Memorial Hospital. In the lively Q&A session after the presentations details of costs per head and percentage reductions were revealed. The webinar was recorded and is available on the Greener Healthcare Network on 2degrees. To take a look at the network and join two degrees click here.
TOOLS & RESOURCES - HOW TO GUIDE FOR TELEPHONE CLINICS
Kidney transplant recipients in Coventry are now offered the option of quarterly telephone clinic follow up, with just one annual ‘face-to-face’ outpatient appointment at their local renal clinic. The service is popular with patients, who not only appreciate the convenience, but also report a feeling of empowerment in management of their medical problems. This concise practical guide from the Green Nephrology team outlines the Coventry experience, before working through the steps necessary to consider when setting up a telephone clinic. It suggests what to include in an initial scoping of the clinic, the resources required and funding issues to consider.
www.greenerhealthcare.org/nephrology-resources/telephone-clinics
CARBON ADDICT SERIES - MONITORING
Measures of carbon consumption can provide a useful guide to disease progression and/or success of treatment in Carbon Dependence. However, many 'Carbon Footprinting' methods provide an incomplete picture, as they tend to include travel and energy use but often do not take into account the carbon impacts of diet or 'new variant' Consumption. For this reason, it is best to look at the overall trend in footprint size, rather than at individual values. The time between replacement of mobile phone handsets, or "Mobile Phone Half-life" has been proposed as a marker for nvConsumption, which could be usefully combined with standard Carbon Footprinting for a more complete picture.
www.carbonaddict.org/monitoring
GOOD MONTH FOR ...
NHS London Travel Network which has signed up to ‘Mapping Greener Healthcare’. The aim of Mapping Travel and Transport for NHS London is to create a database of initiatives in sustainable travel and transport for all NHS Trusts in London to share best practice. The expanded website will be launched towards the end of March. To view the original website click http://map.greenerhealthcare.org/
BAD MONTH FOR ...
Fuel poverty: new figures released show that one in six British households spend more than 10% of their income on utility bills.
EVENTS
An Introduction to Climate Change and Health, 2nd February, London
NHS Sustainable Development - One Future, Different Paths (Conference), 3rd February, London
Heatwave Seminar 2010, 5th February, London
The Road to Zero Carbon, 9th February, Bristol
Public Health Futures (Conference), 23rd February, London
Greener Cardiology Summit, 1st March, London
Counting the Carbon Cost of Cancer Care, 5th March, London
Mental Health Services 2020: High Quality, Low Carbon, 16th March, London
The London NHS Travel Network Event 2010, 19th March, London
10:10 MONTHLY THEME: JANUARY - LIGHTING
Low energy lighting is a very good investments for your organisation - get low energy bulbs into every light fitting. But even a low energy light is a total waste if there's no-one in the room: run a switch-off campaign for lights not in use, and look into motion sensor light switches for store cupboards and toilets.
Useful posters and stickerrs may be available from your Trust's communications team - otherwise you can order some for free from the Carbon Trust here.
JOBS
10:10 HQ are recruiting - various posts on offer including Press Manager, Business Partnerships Manager, Schools & Universities Co-ordinator, Project Manager and Interns. For more details click here: www.1010uk.org/1010/jobs